Faust4Congress

"Is the Republican Party salvageable, or has it completely surrendered to extremism?”

I was asked to write a piece on the republican party and surrendering to extremism. This is my take on the republican party and has surrendering to extremism.
The Republican Party is salvageable. However, for this to occur, the individual citizen who makes up the Republican Party will have to force the change. The “common” citizen will have to take an active role in the party. By participating in the caucus system or actively running for office, the “common” citizen can bring the party back to the moderate position. The problem is participation.
The caucus process is controlled by the extremism position. Primarily due to the lack of involvement by the citizens. The extreme position has an issue they want to force and are willing to work the caucus process to achieve their goal. The common citizen does not have issues they are extremely committed too and therefore do not find the caucus process important or requiring of their involvement.
Running for office is the first place the common citizen starts to get involved with the party. Again, the problem is involvement. Until a citizen is willing to take a stand, the candidate choice will be controlled by the extremism.
How do I see the common citizen bringing the Republican Party back to the moderate position and away from the extreme position? Through the vote. We moderate republicans have to vote for candidates who reflect our viewpoints, regardless of their party affiliation. Until we start electing officials who represent our viewpoint the extremism will control the party. We can no longer vote just republican. We have to vote in the primary election. We cannot wait until the general election. If we wait until the general election, the extremism candidate will control the ballot.